Storm on the way to Osaka

Second day out from Anjiro, Blackthorne and Rodrigues agree a storm will come before sunset. Rodrigues leaves his rutter on the desk as a pilot's test of honour, lets the Englishman stand his watch, and reflects in his cabin on the sealed Jesuit packet Father Sebastio gave him for Father Alvito, and on his own conviction that he should kill the Ingeles ("I am afraid of him"). The gale catches them ten miles from a rock-fanged bay. Blackthorne nearly goes overboard, the Japanese captain is lost, and as they run for the headland Rodrigues screams to turn south while Blackthorne, alone at the helm, holds for the harbour. A great wave snaps Rodrigues's lifeline and takes him; Blackthorne throws a life ring, turns his back and drives the rowers ("Isogiiiiii!") into calm water. He makes the mate captain and insists on going ashore for Rodrigues's body. Hiro-matsu agrees, and Yabu volunteers to lead the party.

The storm is Blackthorne's first competence chapter, the only place so far where he is the best man present. Clavell builds Rodrigues into a friend inside a single day precisely so the wave can take him. The insistence on going ashore for the body reverses the power relation with Yabu without a word said.